Can packaging machine



Feb. 15, 1966 E. ARNESON CAN PACKAGING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 23, 1962 INVENTOR. l

Ida/472A 62/726500,

BY WW W Feb. 15, 1966 E. ARNESON CAN PACKAGING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1962 INVENTOR. Eda/Uzi. J/"wO/Z, BY MMW WW Feb. 15, 1966 E. ARNESON CAN PACKAGING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 25 Filed Oct. 23, 1962 xn l lmkn l lel INVENTOR. Eda/02L flrfzefioiz, BY

QIEFSN NSHSNSNBNSISNBIQ I Feb. 15, 1966 E. L. ARNESON 3,234,706

CAN PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Oct. 23, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i (Q 5? WA% N f Q c w k 21 & n

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INVENTOR. IQZZ/z/ZZQWwOIZ, BY MMWWMM Feb. 15, 1966 E. L. ARNESON 3,234,706

CAN PACKAGING MACHINE Filed 001.. 23, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

United States Patent Office 3,234,706 Patented Feb. 15, 1966 3,234,706 CAN PACKAGING MACHINE Edwin L. Arneson, Morris, Ill., assignor to Federal Paper Board, Company, lino, Bogota, N.Ii., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 232,544 13 Claims. (Cl. 53-48) This invention relates to packaging and is particularly concerned with improvements in machines for enclosing generally cylindrical articles such as cans in a paperboard wrapper which is foldable about the articles to provide an open ended paperboard packaging unit.

In the completed condition of the packaging unit as turned out by the machine, the paperboard wrapper is disposed in wrap-around or banded, snugly encircling, but open ended relation to a generally rectangular group of the articles, arranged on end and in side-by-side relation to one another, provision being made to resist endwise displacement of the articles from the packaging band by engaging the upper and lower rounded beaded edges of at least the end articles in nested relation in center apertures which are longitudinally spaced along the top and bottom of the paperboard wrapper.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a machine having conveyor mechanisms which are adapted to advance successive Wrapper blanks, formed of foldable paperboard material, to a position where the blanks are assembled with a plurality of cans or other cylindrical articles, the articles being arranged in row forming relation and being disposed with their ends in engagement with a wall forming member of the blank and mechanism for thereafter progressively folding the adjoining wall forming members of each wrapper into article engaging relation, compacting the assembly and securing the wrapper so as to enclose the articles in the wrapper and form a package.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an apparatus for enclosing in a foldable paperboard blank a generally rectangular group of cans or similar objects, arranged on end and in side-by-side relation to one another, wherein t-he wrapper blank is adapted to be supplied in opened out, unfolded condition, with crease lines dividing the same into a plurality of hingedly connected wall forming panels, certain of the panels providing exterior walls for the package and other panels providing longitudinally extending can separating and anchoring partition forming panel members which are integral with the top and/or bottom walls of the container, which are folded inwardly so that they are disposed between the rows of cans in the form of longitudinally extending ribs having a V-shaped cross section and which have apertures cut therein for receiving top and bottom edge portions of the cans so as to firmly anchor the cans against movement either vertically or longitudinally of the container, and with the rows of cans tightly tied together by connecting flaps which are cut from the top and bottom walls, the flaps each extending in the plane of the wall from which they are taken so as to bridge the partition member and secure together in connected wall forming relation the two wall sections which result when the partition forming members are folded inwardly, the apparatus comprising a conveyor mechanism adapted to advance successive wrapper blanks which are placed thereon to an article feeding mechanism at an article feeding station, which article feeding mechanism groups two rows of the articles in side-by-side relation and assembles the same with their ends in engagement with one of the wall panels of the wrapper blank. The blank and can assemblies are advanced with the two rows of cans separated by a center spacer member to plow members associated with the conveyor mechanism which are adapted to engage laterally projecting end portions of the wrapper blanks and progressively fold the same into wall forming, article enclosing relation, the assemblies are moved beyond the row separating device and the longitudinal partition forming panels are folded between the rows of articles by traveling lugs arranged on endless chains disposed at the top and bottom of the conveyor carrying the assemblies, the rows of cans are moved laterally into tight engagement with the longitudinal partitions and the connecting flaps at the top and bottom walls are glued and folded into position so as to bridge the partition members and tightly secure together in Wall forming relation the two wall sections from which the partition forming panels are inwardly folded.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the apparatus which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURES 1 and 1A constitute a plan view of a packaging machine having incorporated therein apparatus which embodies the principal features of the present invention, portions of the machine being broken away and other portions being omitted;

FIGURES 2 and 2A constitute a side elevation of the machine shown in FIGURES 1 and 1A with portions broken away and other portions omitted;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1A;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged elevation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross section taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 4, with portions broken away;

FIGURE 6 is a cross section taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 4, with portions broken away;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the completed package unit produced by the machine; and

FIGURE8 is a plan view of a cut and scored wrapper blank employed in forming the package unit of FIGURE 7 on the machine.

The machine which is illustrated in the drawings is particularly adapted to packaging a group of cylindrical articles, such as cans of food, beverages, or other merchandise of cylindrical outline, in an open ended container or wrapper formed by folding and securing a cut and scored blank of paperboard or similar sheet material about the articles.

A typical form of multi-uni-t can package, which is adapted to be produced on the machine, is illustrated in FIGURE 7. The package comprises a group of cans 10 arranged in double row formation with three cans in each row and enclosed in a tubular wrapper which is formed of a blank 11 illustrated in FIGURE 8. The machine is, of course, not limited to production of the package shown in FIGURE 8 but other packages of a similar nature may be formed thereon.

The wrapper or carton blank 11 is initially supplied to the machine in a fiat, opened out condition as illustrated in FIGURE 8, with the blank being cut and scored or creased on the parallel transverse lines 13, 14, 15 and 16 to provide wall forming panels 17, 18, 19 and '20 and a narrow connecting glue flap 21. The panels '17 and 19 are adapted to form the bottom and top walls, respectively, of the package while the panels 18 and 20 are adapted to form the side walls therefor.

The bottom wall forming panel 17 at the one end of the blank is subdivided by transverse medial score line 22 and equally spaced, parallel score lines 23 and 24 so as to define two relatively narrow, integrally hinged, longitudinal partition forming panels 25 and 26 of equal width. Two pairs of generally C-shaped slits 29 and 29' of identical character are cut in the blank so as to interrupt the score lines 23 and 24 as shown. The slits 29 and 29 are spaced transversely of the blank according to the size of the cans so that when the blank is -wrapped around the assembly of cans portions of the chimes of the end cans will be received in the apertures formed in the panels 25 and 26 by cutting therein the slits 29 and 29. A pair of transversely spaced panel connecting glue tabs 30 and 31 are cut from the center of the blank section 17 in the area between the two score lines 23 and 24, the cuts being U-shaped with the bight portion corresponding to a portion of the one score line 23 and the end of the legs terminating in the score line 24, with the tabs being adapted to fold about portions of the latter. Panel portions 32 and 33 between the tabs 30 and 31 have C-shaped cuts 36 and 37 so as to form apertures in these panels for receiving bottom edge portions of the center pair of cans.

The top wall forming panel 19 is subdivided by transverse medial score line 38 and parallel score lines 39 and 40 providing longitudinal partition forming panels 41 and 42 and top wall forming panels 43 and 44. Pairs of C-shaped chime accommodating slits 45 and 45' interrupt the score lines 39 and 40 and are aligned with the slits 29 and 29' in the bottom wall forming panel 17.. A connecting glue tab 46 is cut in the center of the panel 19 mostly between the score lines 39 and 40 but with corner portions extending into the panels 43 and 44. The glue tab 46 is indented at one side to allow for a small tab 51 for folding between the center cans and a small C-shaped slit 53 is cut therein to provide an aperture for a portion of the chime of the one center can. At the other side of the glue tab 46 corner portions 54 and 55 are cut so as to fold down in between the cans laving finger receiving apertures to facilitate carrying the package when it is completed.

When the wrapper 11 is folded about a can assembly comprising two rows of three cans each as shown in FIGURE 7, the rows of cans are held in spaced relation while the glue flap 21 is secured to the free margin of the bottom wall panel 27. Thereafter, the panels 25 and 26 in the bottom wall forming portion 17 and the panels 41 and 42 in the top wall forming portion 19 are folded inwardly to provide a longitudinally extending rib between the two rows of cans while the latter are brought together into a compact group and the wall forming panels 17, 18, 19 and 20 are drawn tightly about the can assembly. The glue tabs 30, 31 are then adhered to the bottom surface of the panel 27 so as to securely connect the panels 27 and 28 and the glue tab 46 is adhered to the panel 44 of the top wall 19 so as to connect the two panels 43 and 44 of the latter, thereby securing the wrapper tightly about the compacted group of cans.

The machine for wrapping the blank 11 around the cans comprises an upright rectangular supporting frame structure 60 (FIGURES 1, 1A, 2 and 2A) including a plurality of spaced upright posts 61 supporting laterally spaced top side plates or rails 62 and 63 and suitable cross bracing. The frame 60 supports the various drive shafts, panel folding plows, and other elements which constitute the operating mechanism of the machine.

A blank conveyor 64 is mounted on the supporting frame which comprises three laterally spaced endless chains, two near the center of the machine and one spaced some distance laterally of the center pair thereof. The conveyor chains are mounted on longitudinally spaced end sprockets 65 and 66 which are in turn mounted on the cross shafts 67 and 68. The cross shafts 67 and 68 are journaled in suitable bearings on opposite sides of the machine and extend between the side frame members 62 and 63. The shaft 68 is extended at one end to receive a bevel gear 70 which is driven by a cooperating bevel gear 71 on a longitudinally extending drive shaft 72, the latter being mounted in suitable bearings on the one side frame member 62. The upper run of the conveyor 64 is supported on suitable guide rails (not shown) secured on the frame structure 60 and the conveyor chains, which are identical, carry longitudinally spaced, upstanding lugs or fingers 73 which are transversely aligned so as to engage with the rear or trailing edges of successive carton or wrapper blanks 11 for advancing the same from a supply magazine 74.

The blanks 11 are fed from the upwardly inclined magazine 74 which is supported on the frame 60 by a pair of suction picker or feeding fingers 75 mounted on pivoted rocker arms 76 each having a cam roller 78 engaging with a cam 80 on the cross shaft 67. The picker fingers 75 withdraw successive bottom blanks from the magazine 74 and deliver the same to the upper run of the conveyor 64 so that they are picked up by the lugs 73'and carried forward to a can and blank assembly area indicated at 81.

Before the blanks 11 reach the can assembly area 81 the glue tabs 30 and 31 on the bottom wall 17 and the glue tab 46 on the top wall 19 are turned back or down out of the plane of the panels 28 and 43 by a mechanism which comprises rotating arms or fingers 82 and 83 mounted on a cross shaft 84 above the conveyor 64 which is journaled in brackets 85 and 86 extending upwardly of the side plates 62 and 63. The arms 82 and 83 punch out the glue tabs 30, 31 and 46 and the tabs 30 and 31 in the bottom wall panel 17 are folded against the panel 28 by a longitudinaly extending plow 87 while the tab 46 is held in downwardly extending position by longitudinally extending plow 88. The tabs 30 and 31 are pressed against the panel 28 by a pair of presser rolls 89 mounted on cross shafts 90 and 91 which are supported at opposite ends in brackets 92 and 93 on the frame members 62 and 63. The two shafts 90 and 91 are connected by gears 94 at one end and one of these shafts is connected by a chain and sprocket drive 95 with the cross shaft 84, the latter in turn being rotated by a suitable connection (not shown) with the drive mechanism for the conveyor 64.

Two lines of cans 10 are'advanced to the assembly area 81 on laterally spaced conveyors 96 and 97 which are supported on end sprockets 96 and 97' mounted on a driven cross shaft 98. The cans 10 are guided from the feed conveyors 96 and 97 by suitable guide rail assemblies 100 and 101 to a pair of starwheels 102 and 103 which are mounted on vertically disposed shafts 104 and 105 supported in a cross frame structure 106. The cross frame 106 also supports an upper cross shaft 107 mounted at its opposite ends in siutable bearings and carrying bevel pinions 108 and 109 which are connected with bevel gears 110 and 111 on the vertical shafts 104 and 105. The shaft 107 is extended at one end and a bevel pinion 112 is mounted thereon which is drive-n by a pinion 113 on a vertical drive shaft 114 which is mounted in suitable bearings at the end of the frame structure 106 and carries at its bottom end a pinion 115 engaging with a drive pinion 116 on the end of the longitudinal drive shaft 72.

The cans 10 are guided into two adjacent parallel rows and separated by the starwheels 102 and 103 into groups of three cans in each row, the rows being separated by vertically extending spacer bar 117 which is arranged longitudinally of the machine between the two chains of the conveyor 64 and supported in a suitable manner on the frame 60. As paired groups or rows of the cans 10 are moved onto each successive blank 11 by the starwheels 102 and 103 they are picked up by the fingers 73 on the blank advancing conveyor 64 and the blank and can assembly, with the cans deposited on the top wall forming panel 19 of the blank, is advanced to a pair of laterally spaced panel folding devices 118 and 120.

The panel folding devices 118 and 120 each comprise a wheel having three circumferentially spaced, radially extending panel folding arms 121 (FIGURE 2) rotatably mounted on a cross shaft 122 which is journaled in the side frames 62 and '63 and driven by chain and sprocketconnection 123 with the driven cross shaft68. The devices 118 .and 120 fold the panels which extend on opposite sides of the top wall panel 19 upwardly against the outside surfaces of the cans. As the can and blankv assemblies advance ,beyond the panel folding devices 118 and 120 they are -;picked up and advanced along the runway in which-they are traveling by a pair of side conveyors'125 and 126 which are provided with cooperating, longitudinally spaced lugs or fingers 127 and.128 for engaging the trailing-end of the successive assemblies. The conveyors 1125 and 126 are mounted-at their trailing endson sprockets -130-and131 on vertically disposed shafts 132 and 133 mounted on a suitable cross frame structure 134 onthe frame 60. ,At their leading ends the conveyors 125 and 126 are carried on sprockets 131 .and "13.6 on ,the upper ends of vertically disposed shafts 137 and .138. The oppositely disposed inner runs of the conveyors 125 and 126 are guided into engagement with the can. and blank assemblies by.idler sprockets 139 and .140 adjacent their trailing ends and held in parallel paths by engaging with sprockets 141 and142 on upright shafts 143 and 144 at their leading ends. The vertically disposedshafts 137, 138 and 143, -144 are supported on the main frame structure 60 by suitable cross frame structure (not shown).

Aseach can and blank assembly is advanced by the conveyors 125 and 1126 beyond the side folders .118 and 120,.an adhesive is applied to the outside margin of'the upstanding bottom wall panel 17 by a glue applicator device indicated at 145 which is mounted on a cross frame 146. The bottom wall forming panel 17 of the blank is then folded ,down onto .the uppermost ends of the cans by a rod-like plow 147 extending longitudinally of .the machine-and supported at the trailing end on the .cross:frame-146. The-plow 147 also folds down onto the :panel 28 the glue tabs 30 and 31. The glue flap 21 which is at the top edge of thepanel '20 at the other side of the can assembly is turned downinto engagement with the adhesive coatedrnargin of the panel'17 and the tops of the cans by a rod-like plow member 148 supported by suitable vbrackets '(not shown) on the :frame :60. Theglue flap '21 passes beneath apressure roller 149 which is mounted on the shaft 150 with the latterbeing journaledin a supporting bracket 151. The glue tab 46 on-the top wall19 of the wrapper blank is held out of the plane of the wall'19 by a plow member .152 mounted on the frame :60 andextending along the bottom of the path-of travel of the can and blank assemblies from the panel folding devices 118 and .120 to a point where the wrapper applying operations are completed.

The two rows of cans are separated by the spacer bar 117 while the glue flap .21 is secured to the panel 17. Thereafter the partially wrapped assembly is advanced beyond the end of the spacer bar 117 andcompacted by a pair of compacting side conveyors 153 and 154 (FIGURES 3 and 4) which are mounted at their trailing-ends on sprockets 155 and 156 on the vertically disposed shafts 143 and 144 and at their leadingends on sprockets 157 and 158 on the vertically disposed shafts 159 and 160. The lateral space between the shafts 159 and 160 is less than the lateral spacing of the shafts 143 and 144 so that the inner opposed runs of the conveyors 153 and 154 converge and reduce the width of the-package assembly as it advances over the tapered endportion 161 of the spacer bar 117. Theconveyors 153 and 154 are provided with longitudinally spaced fingers 162 and 163 which cooperate to engage the trailing side edges of the package assembly and take over the advance of the same from the fingers 127 and 128 of the conveyors 125 and 126. Guide bars 164 and 165 are provided to hold the package engaging runs of the conveyors 153 and 154 in the desired path.

pinions (not shown). between the frameside-plates 62, 63 and carries a bevel vpinion 183 at one end which engages with bevel pinion The longitudinally extending center partition forming panels 25, 26 and -41, 42 are folded inwardly between the rows of cans into position for locking the cans in the wrapper as the package assembly moves over the tapered end section 161 of the row separating bar 117 by mechanism which comprises upper and lower endless chains 166 and 167 (FIGURES 4 and 6) which are supported on sprockets 168, 169 and 170, 171 mounted on parallel cross shafts 172, 173 and 174, 175, and which are provided with spaced sets of tucking fingers 176 and 177 for engaging along the medial score lines 22 and 38 to progressively fold the longitudinal partition panels. The lower and upper runs of the chains 166 and 167 are guided by fixed guide bars 178 and 179 which have guide surfaces tapered as shown in FIGURE 4 so as to move the tucking fingers 176 and .177 in inclined paths toward and away from the center of the packageand effect the folding of the panels25, 26 and 41, 42 between the two rows of cans 10. This places the package assemblies in condition for the final operations of applying glue to the glue tabs 30, 31 and 46 and .folding these tabs into engagement with the panel-s27 and 44 so that they will be adhesively secured thereto.

The compacting conveyors 153 and 154 are driven by chain and sprocket drive connections 180 and 181 between the vertical shafts 137, 159 and 138, 160 and the shafts137, 138 are connected in driving relation with a main transverse drive shaft 182 by cooperating bevel The drive shaft 182 is journaled 184 on the longitudinal drive shaft 72. The main drive shaft has a driving connection, indicated at 185 (FIG- URE 2A) with -a motor or other source of power.

Thecompacted package assemblies are delivered by .thetcompacting conveyors 153 and .154 to the top run of a doublebelt-type endlessconveyor (FIGURES 1A and 2A) which forms a .part of a press unit 191 having vertically spaced pairs of side presser belts 192 and 193 which are positioned to hold the package units in compacted relation. The bottom conveyor 190 is supported at its trailingend onpulleys 194 on an idler shaft 195 .and at its leading end on pulleys 196 on a cross shaft 197. The shaft 197 is connected by a chain and sprocket drive 198 with a transverse power shaft 200 which is in turn connected by a chain and sprocket drive20l with a suitable motor or other power source. The side belts 192 and 193 are supported on pulleys 202, 203 and 204, 205 which are mounted on vertically disposed parallel supporting shafts 206, 207 and 208,

.shown in the drawings but which supports the various shafts and otherelementsofthe press unit 191.

Glue .applying mechanisms indicated at 214 and ,215

are provided along the top and bottom of the press unit 191 for applying adhesive to the glue flaps 30, 31 on the bottom panel 17 and glue flap 46 on the top panel 19. These glue flapswhich have been held out of the planesof the top and bottom walls by extended portions of the plow and guide members 147 and 152 move from beneath the guide members as they approach the glue applicators 214 and 215 where the glue is applied and as they pass beyond the latter they are folded down into engagement .with the panels .27 and 44 by the plows 216 and .217 and then pass beneath the presser rollers 218 and 219 which are carried on cross shafts 220 and 221 which are suitably journaled in the supporting frame- 7 work. The packaging operations are completed as the packages are discharged from the press unit 191.

In using the machine, the magazine 74 is supplied with a stack of wrapper blanks 11 and cans are supplied to the conveyors 96 and 97 for advance to the starwheels 102 and 103. The starwheels 102 and 103 are timed to deposit two rows of three cans each on the top wall forming panel 19 of the wrapper blank 11, with the tworows being held in laterally spaced relation by the spacer bar 117 while the wrapper and can assembly is advanced past the folders 118 and 120 which fold up the portions of the blank 11 on each side of the top wall panel 19. The glue flaps 30, 31 and 46 which have been folded back on the panels 17 and 19 by the punch members 82 and 83 are held in flattened and downwardly extending position, respectively, by the bars 147 and 152 as the assembly leaves the conveyor 64 and advances between the conveyor chain-s 125 and 126 which take over the advance of the assembly. The panel 17 is laid down onto the tops of the cans by the plow 147 after glue is applied to the margin of the panel by the applicator 145. The flap 21 is turned down into engagement with the margin of the panel 17 by the plow 148 and pressed by the roller 149 to complete the forming of the wrapper into a tube enclosing the two spaced rows of cans. The assembly is advanced to the compacting chains 153 and 154 by the conveyor chains 125 and 126 and the chains 153 and 154 take over the advance of the assembly as it moves off the tapered end 161 of the spacer bar 117. The converging inner runs of the chains 153 and 154 progressively compact the assembly while the lugs 176 and 179 on the top and bottom folder chains progressively fold the longitudinal partition panels 25, 26 and 41, 42 inwardly between the bottom and top ends of the two rows of cans. The compressed assembly then advances to the press 191 which holds it in compressed condition while the glue flaps 30, 31 and 46 are glued by the applicators 214 and 215 and folded down onto the panels 27 and 44 by the plow members 216 and 217 and pressed down by the rollers 218 and 219, after which the completed package is delivered from the machine.

While specific details of construction and particular materials are referred to in describing the illustrated form of the machine, it Will be understood that equivalent structural arrangements and materials may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for enclosing a group of cylindrical articles arranged in double row formation in a foldable paperboard wrapper which wrapper is cut and creased to provide top, bottom and side wall and integral longitudinal partition forming and article separating panels, with the partition forming panels being taken from the center portion of the top and bottom wall panels of the wrapper and being foldable inwardly between the rows of articles, said machine comprising an elongate supporting frame having a conveyor mounted thereon with an upper horizontal run, means for feeding successive Wrapper blanks in opened out relation onto said upper conveyor run for advance to article receiving position beneath an article assembling station, means for advancing single lines of articles into laterally separated rows at said article assembling station, means for separating a predetermined number of the articles from each of the article advancing lines and depositing the same on the top wall forming panel of an onc6ming wrapper blank on said conveyor, a separator bar extending longitudinally of said conveyor above the upper run thereof and between the articles so as to maintain them in separated rows, means for folding the side wall and bottom wall forming panels of the wrapper blank about the sides and tops of the two rows of articles, means for connecting overlapped marginal portions of the bottom wall forming panels of the wrapper blank, conveyor means for engaging trailing edges of the side walls of each successive wrapper and article assembly and for advancing the same to a compacting station at the end of said spacer bar, means at said compacting station for engaging the wrapper side walls and for progressively moving the wrapper side walls and the rows of articles toward the longitudinal center of the article assembly and into compact relation and means at said compacting station for folding the longitudinal partition panels in the top and bottom wall forming panels inwardly between the rows of articles as the rows of articles are moved toward each other and the wrapper and article assembly is advanced beyond the end of the spacer bar.

2. A machine for enclosing in a foldable paperboard wrapper a group of cylindrical articles arranged in two parallel rows, which wrapper is in the form of a cut and creased blank providing top, bottom and side wall and integral longitudinal partition forming and article separating panels, the partition forming panels being taken from the center of the top and bottom panels and being 'foldable into article separating position between the two rows of articles, said machine comprising an elongate supporting frame, a conveyor mounted thereon having an upper horizontal run, means for feeding wrapper blanks in opened out relation onto said upper conveyor run for advance to an article assembling station for receiving articles thereon, means for advancing single lines of articles to said assembling station and guiding the articles into laterally separated rows at said article assembling station, means for separating a predetermined number of the articles from each of the article supply lines and depositing the same in parallel laterally separated row formation on the top forming panel of an oncoming wrapper blank on said conveyor, a separator bar extending between the rows of articles above and longitudinally of the upper run of said conveyor for maintaining the rows of articles in separated relation, means for folding the side wall and bottom wall forming panels of the wrapper blank about the sides and tops of the two rows of articles, means for securing together overlapped marginal portions of the bottom wall forming panels of the blank, a second conveyor for engaging trailing edges of the side walls of the wrappers of successive wrapper and article assemblies and for advancing the same to a compacting station, said separator bar terminating at said compacting station, means at said compacting station for engaging the faces of the wrapper side walls and moving the wrapper side walls and the rows of articles toward the longitudinal center of the article assembly as the article assembly advances beyond the end of the separator bar and means at said compacting station for folding the longitudinal partition panels in the top and bottom wall panels inwardly toward the center of each assembly as the wrapper side walls and the rows of articles are moved toward the center of the article assembly.

3. A machine for enclosing a group of cylindrical articles which are arranged in transversely aligned double row formation in a paperboard tube fabricated from a blank which is out and creased to provide top, bottom and side wall and integral longitudinal partition forming and article separating panels, the partition forming panels being derived from the center of the top and bottom wall panels and being foldable into article separatingrelation between the top and bottom ends of the rows of articles, said machine comprising a supporting frame having a conveyor mounted thereon with an upper horizontal run, means for feeding blanks in opened out relation onto said upper conveyor run for advance to article receiving position at an article assembling station, means for advancing articles in laterally separated rows to said article assembling station, 'means for separating a predetermined number of the articles from each row and depositing the same on the top forming panel of an oncoming blank on said conveyor, a row separating device extending above and longitudinally of said conveyor for maintaining the rows of articles in laterally separated relation, means for folding the side wall and bottom wall forming panels of the blank into tube forming relation about the sides and tops of the two rows of articles, means for securing together overlapped marginal portions of the bottom wall forming'panels of the tube, a second conveyor for engaging the trailing edges of the side walls of the tube of each successive tube and article assembly and for advancing the same to a compacting station, said row separating device terminating at said compacting station, means at said compacting station for engaging the opposite side faces of the tube and moving the same together with the rows of articles toward the longitudinal center of the tube and article assembly, and means at said compacting station for folding the longitudinal partition forming panels inwardly between the top and bottom ends of the rows of articles while said tube side faces and said rows of articles are moved toward the center of the tube and article assembly and into tightly compacted relation.

4. A machine as recited in claim 3, and said row separating device having a tapered end section at the compacting station.

5. A machine as recited in claim 3, and said means at the compacting station for folding the longitudinal partition forming panels advancing with the tube and article assembly along paths which converge in the direction of advance.

6. A machine for wrapping a group of cylindrical articles which are arranged in double row formation in a foldable paperboard wrapper which is formed from a blank cut and creased to provide top, bottom and side wall forming panels with the top and bottom panels having integral longitudinal partition forming article separating panels intermediate their side edges which are foldable inwardly into row separating position, said machine comprising a supporting frame having a conveyor mounted thereon with an upper horizontal run, means for feeding wrapper blanks in opened out relation onto said upper conveyor run for advance to article receiving position at an article assembling station, means for advancing lines of articles and guiding the same into laterally separated rows at said article assembling station, starwheel means for separating from the rows a predetermined number of the articles and depositing the same in double row arrangement on the top wall forming panel of an oncoming Wrapper blank on said conveyor, a member extending longitudinally of said conveyor for separating the rows of articles, means for folding the side wall and bottom wall forming panels of the wrapper blank about the sides and tops of the two separated rows of articles, means for securing overlapped marginal portions of the bottom wall forming panels of the blank, endless side chain conveyors on opposite sides of the path of advance of the wrapper and article assemblies and having fingers for engaging trailing edges of the side walls of the wrapper of each successive wrapper and article assembly and for advancing the same to a compacting station, said row separator member terminating in a tapered end portion at said compacting station, a pair of laterally spaced endless chain conveyors at said compacting station for engaging the wrapper side walls and for forcing the wrapper side walls and the rows of articles toward the longitudinal center of the article assembly and a pair of endless chain members mounted above and below the longitudinal center of the path of movement of said wrapper and article assembly at said compacting station and having spaced lugs thereon for engaging the longitudinal partition panels so as to press the same inwardly toward the center of the article assembly and position the same between the rows of articles while the wrapper side walls and the rows of articles are forced toward the longitudinal center of the article assembly.

7. A machine as recited in claim 6, and said endless chain members which are mounted above and below the path of advance of the wrapper and article assembly at the compacting station having opposed runs which converge toward each other in the direction of advance of the wrapper and article assembly.

8. A machine as recited in claim 6, and said pair of laterally spaced conveyors at said compacting station having opposed runs which converge toward each other and progressively force the Wrapper side walls and the rows of articles toward the center of the Wrapper and article assembly as the assembly advances along the tapered end portion of said row separator member.

9. A machine as recited in claim 8, and said laterally spaced conveyors at said compacting station having spaced fingers thereon for engaging the rear edge of each wrapper and article assembly so as to advance each assembly beyond the end of said side chain conveyors.

10. In a can wrapping machine having means for folding a cut and creased wrapper forming blank into a tube about an assembly of two rows of cans and a longitudinal extending spacer member separating the rows of cans while they are encased in the wrapper, a compacting conveyor mechanism comprising a horizontal support on which the tube encased can assembly is advanced along a longitudinal path, laterally spaced, horizontally disposed endless traveling conveyors mounted on opposite sides of said support adjacent the end of said spacer member, said spacer member extending longitudinally along the path of advance of said tube encased can assembly and having the side faces thereof converging at its end, said compacting conveyors having oppositely disposed nuns engaging the opposite sides of the tube encased can assembly and converging in the direction of advance thereof, and vertically disposed fold forming conveyors mounted above and below the path of the tube encased can assembly, said fold forming conveyors having oppositely positioned runs traveling in paths adjacent the top and bottom faces of the tube encased can assembly and converging in the direction of advance, and fold forming fingers carried on said fold forming conveyors in paths which are in substantial alignment vertically with said spacer members so as to engage and fold inwardly longitudinal partition panels in the top and bottom walls of the tube as adjoining panel portions of said walls are moved toward the longitudinal center of the tube by said compacting conveyors.

11. In a can wrapping machine as recited in claim 10, and fixed guide forming members for the oppositely disposed runs of said horizontally disposed endless conveyors of the compacting mechanism which hold said conveyor runs in converging paths as they advance with the tube encased can assembly along the converging side faces of said spacer member.

12. In a can wrapping machine as recited in claim 10, and said horizontally disposed endless conveyors of the compacting mechanism having fingers spaced thereon for engaging with the trailing edges of the tube of successive tube encased can assemblies which are advanced to said compacting mechanism on said support.

13. A machine for enclosing a group of cylindrical articles arranged in double row formation in a foldable paperboard blank which blank is cut and creased to provide top, bottom and side wall and longitudinal partition forming and article separating panels which are integral with the top and bottom wall panels, with the partition forming panels being foldable inwardly between the rows of articles and having glue tabs cut therefrom which are adapted to be secured to adjoining panel portions after the longitudinal partition forming panels are folded between the rows, said machine comprising an elongate supporting frame having a conveyor mounted thereon with an upper horizontal run, means for feeding successive blanks in opened out relation onto said upper conveyor run for advance to article receiving position at an article assembling station, means for folding the glue tabs out of the plane of the longitudinal partition forming panels, means for advancing articles into laterally separated rows at said article assembling station, starwheel means for feeding a predetermined number of the articles from each of the rows and depositing the same on the top wall forming panel of an oncoming blank on said conveyor, a separator member extending longitudinally of said conveyor above the upper run thereof maintainingthe articles in separated rows, means for folding the side wall and bottom wall forming panels of the blank upwardly about the sides and across the tops of the rows of articles, means for securing overlapped marginal portions of the bottom wall forming panels of the blank while the rows of articles are in separated relation thereby to form a package unit, conveyors having means for engaging trailing edges of the side walls of each successive package unit and for advancing the same to a compacting station at the end of said spacer bar, means at said compacting station for engaging the side walls of each package unit and for progressively References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS I 2,817,197 12/1957 Anness 53-48 2,860,461 11/1958 Arneson 5348 XR 3,032,945 5/1962 Currie et al 53-48 3,061,985 11/1962 Ganz 53,48

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE FOR ENCLOSING A GROUP OF CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES ARRANGED IN DOUBLE ROW FORMATION IN A FOLDABLE PAPERBOARD WRAPPER WHICH WRAPPER IS CUT AND CREASED TO PROVIDE TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALL AND INTEGRAL LONGITUDINAL PARTITION FORMING AND ARTICLE SEPARATING PANELS, WITH THE PARTITIN FORMING PANELS BEING TAKEN FROM THE CENTER PORTION OF THE TOP AND BOTTOM WALL PANELS OF THE WRAPPER AND BEING FOLDABLE INWARDLY BETWEEN THE ROWS OF ARTICLES, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING AN ELONGATE SUPPORTING FRAME HAVING A CONVEYOR MOUNTED THEREON WITH AN UPPER HORIZONTAL RUN, MEANS FOR FEEDING SUCCESSIVE WRAPPER BLANKS IN OPENED OUT RELATION ONTO SAID UPPER CONVEYOR RUN FOR ADVANCE TO ARTICLE RECEIVING POSITION BENEATH AN ARTICLE ASSEMBLING STATION, MEANS FOR ADVANCING SINGLE LINES OF ARTICLES INTO LATERALLY SEPARATED ROWS OF SAID ARTICLE ASSEMBLING STATION, MEANS FOR SEPARATING A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF THE ARTICLES FROM EACH OF THE ARTICLE ADVANCING LINES AND DEPOSITING THE SAME ON THE TOP WALL FORMING PANEL OF AN ONCOMING WRAPPER BLANK ON SAID CONVEYOR, A SEPARATOR BAR EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID CONVEYOR ABOVE THE UPPER RUN THEREOF AND BETWEEN THE ARTICLES SO AS TO MAINTAIN THEM IS SEPARATED ROWS, MEANS FOR FOLDING THE SIDE WALL AND BOTTOM WALL FORMING PANELS OF THE WRAPPER BLANK ABOUT THE SIDES AND TOPS OF THE TWO ROWS OF ARTICLES, MEANS FOR CONNECTING OVERLAPPED MARGINAL PORTIONS OF THE BOTTOM WALL FORMING A PANELS OF THE WRAPPER BLANK, CONVEYOR MEANS FOR ENGAGING TRAILING EDGES OF THE SIDE WALLS OF EACH SUCCESSIVE WRAPPER AND ARTICLE ASSEMBLY AND FOR ADVANCING THE SAME TO A COMPACTING STATION AT THE END OF SAID SPACER BAR, MEANS AT SAID COMPACTING STATION FOR ENGAGING THE WRAPPER SIDE WALLS AND FOR PROGRESSIVELY MOVING THE WRAPPER SIDE WALL AND THE ROWS OF ARTICLES TOWARD THE LONGITUDINAL CENTER OF THE ARTICLE ASSEMBLY AND INTO COMPACT RELATION AND MEANS AT SAID COMPACTING STATION FOR FOLDING THE LONGITUDINAL PARTITION PANELS IN THE TOP AND BOTTOM WALL FORMING PANELS INWARDLY BETWEEN THE ROWS OF ARTICLES AS THE ROWS OF ARTICLES ARE MOVED TOWARD EACH OTHER AND THE WRAPPER AND ARTICLE ASSEMBLY IS ADVANCED BEYOND THE END OF THE SPACER BAR. 